Protesters gather outside Fargo abortion clinic on start of 40-day campaign

092519.N.FF.40DAYS3 — Protesters stand outside the Red River Women's Clinic on Wednesday, Sept. 25, the start of 40 Days for Life, a national anti-abortion campaign that runs until Nov. 3. Kim Hyatt / The Forum

By Kim Hyatt

September 25, 2019 at 9:51 AM

FARGO — The national anti-abortion campaign 40 Days for Life officially started Wednesday, Sept. 25.

There was a larger-than-usual number of protesters outside North Dakota's only abortion clinic, 512 First Ave. N., where smaller crowds gather on Wednesdays, the day when the Red River Women's Clinic performs abortions.

A priest led prayers Wednesday morning, and protesters will continue their campaign through Nov. 3.

Fargo first joined the nationwide vigil and fasting campaign in 2007, according to 40 Days for Life North Dakota.

092519.N.FF.40DAYS2 — Protesters stand outside the Red River Women's Clinic on Wednesday, Sept. 25, the start of 40 Days for Life, a national anti-abortion campaign that runs until Nov. 3. Kim Hyatt / The Forum

Earlier this month, a federal judge blocked North Dakota from enforcing a law that would have required physicians to tell patients it may be possible to reverse a drug-induced abortion. The Red River Women's Clinic and American Medical Association filed a lawsuit claiming that doing so would force doctors to misinform their patients and violate their medical ethics.

092519.N.FF.40DAYS1 — Protesters stand outside the Red River Women's Clinic on Wednesday, Sept. 25, the start of 40 Days for Life, a national anti-abortion campaign that runs until Nov. 3. Kim Hyatt / The Forum

By Kim Hyatt

Kim Hyatt is a reporter for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead covering community issues and other topics. She previously worked for the Owatonna People's Press where she received the Minnesota Newspaper Association's Dave Pyle New Journalist Award in 2016. Later that year, she joined The Forum as a night reporter and is now part of the investigative team. She's a 2014 graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth.